Aus satisfied with India’s nuclear safeguards: Abbott
3 Sept 2014 6:05 AM IST
Australia on Tuesday said it is ‘satisfied’ with the nuclear safeguards India has in place, signalling sealing a much-awaited deal on uranium export during Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s visit to Delhi this week.
‘We have satisfied ourselves that the steps are in place,’ said Trade Minister Andrew Robb, who will accompany Abbott on his India visit.
Prime Minister Abbott will arrive in Delhi on September 4 to further strengthen the strategic partnership and promote trade and investment between the two countries.
Media reports recently said the two sides have reached the deal on the civil nuclear agreement, which will be formally signed by Prime Minister Abbott during his visit.
The negotiations between the two sides have been on since 2012 after Labor party reversed its decision to ban the uranium sale to India because New Delhi has not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
‘The negotiations and work that’s gone on between authorities in India and Australia have gone on for some years to develop a bilateral nuclear cooperation agreement which meets the international requirements and we are satisfied, our officials are satisfied that all the requirements have been met,’ he said in a radio interview to ABC channel.
‘And we are in a position, if that’s what comes about with the Prime Minister’s visit, to sign such a cooperation agreement,’ he said.
Australia holds about a third of the world’s recoverable uranium resources, and exports nearly 7,000 tonnes a year.
‘We have satisfied ourselves that the steps are in place,’ said Trade Minister Andrew Robb, who will accompany Abbott on his India visit.
Prime Minister Abbott will arrive in Delhi on September 4 to further strengthen the strategic partnership and promote trade and investment between the two countries.
Media reports recently said the two sides have reached the deal on the civil nuclear agreement, which will be formally signed by Prime Minister Abbott during his visit.
The negotiations between the two sides have been on since 2012 after Labor party reversed its decision to ban the uranium sale to India because New Delhi has not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
‘The negotiations and work that’s gone on between authorities in India and Australia have gone on for some years to develop a bilateral nuclear cooperation agreement which meets the international requirements and we are satisfied, our officials are satisfied that all the requirements have been met,’ he said in a radio interview to ABC channel.
‘And we are in a position, if that’s what comes about with the Prime Minister’s visit, to sign such a cooperation agreement,’ he said.
Australia holds about a third of the world’s recoverable uranium resources, and exports nearly 7,000 tonnes a year.
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